City Comparison

Akron vs Flagstaff

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

Ohio
81
Very Affordable
$146,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$48,500
Median Income

Flagstaff

Arizona
116
Above Average
$655,000
Median Home
$1,750/mo
Median Rent
$68,000
Median Income

The Verdict

30.2%

Living in Akron costs 30.2% less than Flagstaff. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $107,407 in Flagstaff.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
60
Akron
178
Flagstaff
Groceries
106
Akron
102
Flagstaff
Utilities
80
Akron
92
Flagstaff
Transportation
85
Akron
109
Flagstaff
Healthcare
88
Akron
102
Flagstaff

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $107,407 in Flagstaff.

Conversely, $75,000 in Flagstaff equals $52,371 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Flagstaff

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Flagstaff's 178, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $655,000. The $509,000 difference in home prices means roughly $33,084 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,750/mo in Flagstaff, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 102 in Flagstaff. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $485/month in Flagstaff. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 92 in Flagstaff. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $368 in Flagstaff. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 102 in Flagstaff. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,500 in Akron and $68,000 in Flagstaff. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $58,621 respectively. Akron residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $1,587/month in Flagstaff. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Flagstaff, median rent of $1,750/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 118 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 30.2% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 116.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $107,407 in Flagstaff, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Flagstaff's is 178 with median homes at $655,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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